The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-04

A startling rumor, on account OF its
magnitude, design and effect, gained linn
tied circulation yesterday afternoon, and
in the course OF its wanderings ran afoul
of an APPEAL reporter. II there should
prove an foundation for it, and the scheme
be put in the way Of undertaking, it will
be highly significant, and yet the public
will reap the benefits ii it be successful.
Crystalizcd, it is this: A company is in
process Of formation to take control of the
old Memphis city railway company's lines
and operate cars over them by electric
motors The stockholders in this corpora
ton are said to be Messrs. Frayscr, Barrett,
Frost and number OF eastern capital
lists. To carry it out, so the rumor
went, the Citizens street railway company
was 10 be ignored, thus virtually renounc-
ing the consolidation, over which there
has been lively dispute between the two
companies and city authorities. The new
company was TO go before the legislative
council, state its willingness TO abandon
all differences, live up TO charter and Tax
ing District ordinance regulations dwell
together in beautiful harmony, and ask for
right OF way OF the streets for twenty-five
years from the time asked As an induce
ment TO the council to grant its prayer,
free from subsidy requirements, the pres
ent mule motors are to be substituted by
electric appliances. The six years OF life
yet remaining for the company are to be
surrendered, and other concessions made
in order to bring about success and har-
mony.
As rumor circulated il, the formation
and working OF the plan is at present in
strict secrecy, and for this reason: The
Citizens company is ignored in the matter,
because necessary and desirable. IL was
limited that the designers, who are and
have for years been connected with the
Memphis City company, no longer show
the love and affection Tor the recently or
ganizod corporation, which caused them 10
seek and struggle for a consolidation. In
fact, rumor has il that they would be
highly pleased 10 give il the shake out
right, on account of II having proved u sort
OF elephant Then, again, they have
learned 10 feel that there are grave o ibts
rs ~ whether the consolidation will stand
the test of judicial scrutiny, and they will
not object TO avoiding il. At all events,
the extended lease of eighteen years will
compensa.e for any chances they may have
for success in the suits already instituted.
Rumor further stated that by some
means one or two stockholders OF the Citi-
zens company had gotten wind 81 the de-
sign, and were exceedingly wruth. They
didn't fancy this character Of procedure TO
begin with and again, IL successful. IL
would cut them of from q share II the
profits being reapcd from the old compa-
ny's lines. They reasoned that one was
necessary Ia 'tother. but they needed
'toihcr most. Cniavomblc remarks are
said Ia have escaped the lips Of the angry
gentlemen concerning the electric motor
projectors.
II IL known that Col. II. Dudley Frayscr
has recently returned from national con-
yention Of street railway magnaics, and
that he was elected yice-prcsidcnt ui the
body. Improvements of various kinds
were discussed, as usual, at the meetings,
and electric motors are fast attaining
prominence rs one Of them. II is just
possible that Col. Fmyscr saw the oppor-
tunity, conceived tile idea Of introducing
then here ON his lines, and also the plan
ald.ady mentioned Ms advantageous 10
that end. Before leaving Memphis for
Philadelphia, where the convention was
held, Col. Fmyser stated 10 an APrEAL
reporter that he WIS IN favor Of cable cans,
or any other improvement In prupelling
cars which inventive genius might de-
velop. This rumor comes ~ the frst step
In the direction Of putting that sentiment
In practice.
After listening TO the narration Of the re-
port, the reporter called on Col. Napoleon
Hill, president of the two street railway
companies. nndasked him for contirna-
ton OF denial. Col. Hill had never heard
oi anything Of the sort, and did not be-
lieve that such n scheme existed in the
minds Of his associates previously men
toned ~ far M lac was informed, cleo
tic motors had not rs yet reached that
aate OF perfection which would warrant
the gentlemen in holding any such idea or
intention.